Sunday, July 31, 2011

Today we were scheduled to preach in Manhattan. In times past it was the congregation was a few faithful saints and the Ramirez family. Today when we arrived, I began to cry tears of joy to see a good sized group of people praising God. The power of God came in,1 lady received the HG and was baptized! We may not have gotten to preach, but we were thrilled to be a part of the harvest.
The Ramirez family has been faithful and held on to GOD's Promises!

Saturday, July 30, 2011

Today a large group of ladies from my church took a road trip to PA. I enjoyed meeting some new ladies and getting to know better ladies I say hi and by to at church. I came home relaxed and looking forward to being with my husband and also looking forward to picking RJ up from his Grandparents house tomorrow. I didn't realize how much I needed to be around other women until today, it truly was refreshing. I hope we do this again in the future.
God is Good!

Friday, July 29, 2011

We don't make a practice of attending the movies. This Blog is not about why we do or do not go, this is about something that happened to us. A while back RJ saw an add, I'm not sure where since we don't have a television, about a new Winnie the Pooh Movie in the Theaters. He kept asking to go and Bob said it was ok since it seemed innocent enough for a three year old. This way, RJ can say he has gone and it was something we knew would be clean. Here is what happened:
We arrived, purchased our tickets and I not being a regular movie goer didn't look on the ticket and see what room number to go to. I went to the door that had a marquee over it with Winnie the Pooh on it. We sat down and found ourselves staring at a blank screen. RJ says to me:" Mom, I don't think we should be here." Me: " Why?". RJ: " There is a Ghost in here." Me: "Oh you mean the Holy Ghost?" RJ:" No, this is a bad Ghost. I think we need to leave now." RJ does not talk about Ghost and I start to think something is not right and just then one of the workers walks in and I asked him why Winnie the Pooh was not playing and he says to me" Oh, your in the wrong room, this is where Harry Potter is being shown." I promptly got up and took RJ out of the room. We go to the correct room and I am thinking, I should really just leave. We sit down and RJ says : " Now this is better, this feels better, no Ghost here." So, I relax and we start watching the movie. Ten minutes or so into the movie the fire alarm goes off and they evacuate the whole entire building. You can form your own opinion about what happend to us, this is not to start a debate, it's just to tell you what took place.
We have decided to keep with our no movie policy.
The Bible tells us to train up a child in the way he should go. We want him to be kind, loving and full of knowledge. We desire for him to love the things of God, that is why we take him to church and read the Bible to him. We read all kinds of books to him, take him to the park and museums. We want RJ to be a balanced person. Most of all we hope he will Love the Lord. He is the future.
God is Good.

Thursday, July 28, 2011

Last night we took RJ to his Grandparents house in New Jersey. He will be spending a couple of days with them. Of course tonight he is also having a sleepover with one of his most favorite cousins Amber. I miss him a lot and I will not lie, I did enjoy some time to myself today. In fact when I finish this blog, Bob and I are going to go out on a late night date!
Today, I went to Flushing (Queens,NY) and enjoyed some yummy food and tea. I pretended I was back in Taiwan since it feels like they took a chunk of Taiwan and China and placed it in NY. I was thinking that Heaven is going to be a lot like NY except it will be pretty. All kinds of people are going to be there and I was starting to get excited. Then I started to think about going to Heaven and how. when I get there I will see Jesus, I will see my loved ones who are already there and my little boy who went to be with the Lord before he was born(Tobias). This world is getting stranger and stranger and I am starting to feel more and more out of place.
I love being in church, because there I feel close to God and am surrounded by people who love Him.
God is Good!

Tuesday, July 26, 2011

For some time now, RJ has been trying to ride a bike. He can't seem to get the coordination of balance, moving his legs forward and up and down all at the same time. Our neighbor had kindly given us one of her son's older bikes and we were using that to teach him to ride. We were unsuccessful. Thus the other day while at my favorite store Unique (a great place to find almost new(sometimes new) clothes and toys!)I was thrilled to come across a Radio Flyer Tricycle, cherry red with bell included. He got on that tricycle and in a flash was on the move. I knew I had to buy it. Happily I purchased it and was thrilled when I found out it was 25% off day! RJ rode his new "bike" around the block. His first time and he rode about a half a mile. He was victorious and I could see his level of self confidence soar.

I began to think about our walk with the Lord. Sometimes we tend to want to hop on the big bikes before we are ready. We need a strong foundation in God's word and grow at the right pace. We were trying to get RJ to ride a bike he was not ready for. When he was on the right bike, he soared. Grow in God, read His word, spend time talking to Him. As you do this, He will guide you and lead you. As you trust Him, you will soar!
God is Good!

Saturday, July 23, 2011

In August we will be taking RJ to Ohio for a Conference. This conference is called Youth Congress and it will have several thousand teenagers and twentysomthings all coming together to meet, network, have fun and most of all of worship the Lord with songs and The Word of God. Since RJ has been talking a lot about God we decided to make a road trip and let him experience it. It's clear he is excited about it because today while playing the drums he made up a song about Youth Congress. It goes something like this:
" Jesus is good, Going to Youth Congress. Praise His Name, Love His Name, Love His Word of the Youth Congress"
I think there is more, but I had a hard time hearing the words over the drums. I think he is going to have a blast.
Now on to the Bad Judge. A while back in our nightly routine we read from Luke Chapter 18. The story really stuck with RJ and tonight he wanted to read it again. He keeps asking why the Judge was bad and why didn't he answer the lady and what did she want.
I got to thinking about it tonight as Bob was reading it. Not only does the chapter talk about being persistant in our prayers, but it also talks about having the faith of a child. If you have a child you will know that when they really want something they will drive you nuts until they get it.If you promise them something and "forget" about it, they will remind you until you follow through on your promise. God does not forget and He can not lie. If we come to Him with the childlike faith and constant reminder of Lord, remember you said in your word and remember you promised me these things..How can He not answer you.
There are all kinds of crazy things going on in the world and in our own private worlds. Sometimes life throws us a curve ball and it can even cause us to doubt a bit. Don't lose your childlike faith.. God is with you, He loves you and He has trust in you. Keep your eyes on Him, jump freely into His faithful, loving arms. Make your petition known and hang on to Him until He answers!
God is Good!

Friday, July 22, 2011

As you are aware from an earlier post my nephew Ross came for a visit. He gave us a CD of traditional Japanese Music. We listened to it during the week when we were in the car. We had lots of fun and managed to go to:
1. A concert in the Park w/ Fireworks
2. Aviation Museum ( he wants to be an Engineer for the Air Force)
3. In one day(Columbia Univ,The Met, Central Park, Empire State Bld,Little Italy) whew..we were wore out! Forgot to mention the 3 wild taxi rides!
4. The Beach twice
5. Church Twice
6. Flushing(Queens) for some real yummy Chinese Food and Tea!
It was great and I think he loved it so much he is applying to many colleges out here.
Now flash back to today. While I was putting the laundry away ,I overheard RJ driving his car around and I kid you not he was singing one of the Japanese songs from the CD! Of course I don't know if it was the right pronounciation, but hey it sounded good to me.
Speaking of Japan, I have a feeling he may end up being a Missionary there one day. He wants to watch youtube videos of Japan all the time and keeps saying when he is President he is going to rescue all the Japanese from the Earthquake. He prays for God to send a spiritual earthquake to Japan. I love my sweet boy!
God is Good!

Wednesday, July 20, 2011

We discovered a dead bird in our front yard. It looked like it was a Mockingbird. RJ was fascinated and disturbed by the idea of a dead bird. He must have been thinking about it all day because when we sat down for our nightly routine this is the conversation that unfolded:
RJ: " Daddy why did the bird die?" Bob: " I don't know, maybe he was old and fell out of the tree." RJ:" oh". This was followed by a short silence and then he said: " Well Daddy.. the bird died and Jesus is going to tell me why. I know He will tell me because Jesus was dead and then he came alive again. The bird won't come alive, because only Jesus can do that. But since Jesus is not dead, then He will tell me why the bird died." This was followed by more silence. Then he said" Yep. The bird was old and died and fell from the tree. But Jesus is not dead, he is alive." Bob replied " Yes, Jesus is not dead, He is alive and it says in the Bible that He knows when the sparrow falls, so Jesus knows that bird died and fell." We burried the bird and it was a great way to teach our son about death. Even greater we were able to let him know that Jesus is alive and He can see everything about us. If He cares about a little bird that fell, how much more does He care about you and I? When you are feeling down, remember, He is alive and He knows what you are going through. He can see you right where you are and He cares!
God is Good!

Tuesday, July 19, 2011

Tonight we deviated from the normal nightly routine and decided to take Ross to Flushing (Queens, NY..the real Chinatown) and give him a taste of real Chinese Food. Happily we saw that our favorite place to eat was done renovating and open for business. This place is special to us since we have been eating there since RJ was born. His first soup he ate was there and let me tell you, he was not one years old yet and he drank the fish soup like it was milk! Tonight, we forgot to order his soup and it just so happened that the soup we did order had two fish balls in it. Well...with RJ that is not enough, he eats four..yes four fish balls. Like good parents we ordered his soup when we realized our mistake. He of course was thrilled and so was the staff since they enjoy watching him wolf down the soup as well as everything brought to the table.
I would like to think that in Heaven when we sit down for that great supper, Jesus is going to put a bowl of Fish Soup in front of RJ and RJ is going to say " Sit down Jesus, next to me and I'll share my fish ball soup with you!"
To all my Taiwan friends/family you would have been proud to see my son eat his noodles with chopsticks and eat his soup like a good Taiwanese boy!
God is Good!

Sunday, July 17, 2011

I know I already posted today, but I wanted to add an RJ story. Tonight during our prayers for the night, he again wanted to pray for Joy. We did and then he gave thanks because in his words" Jesus is healing Joy." Keep in mind this was on his own accord.
Our Bible reading was from the book of Luke. When we were done he asked: " Why was the Judge bad?" We explained to him that the judge would not hear the elderly ladies case. She kept coming back until he got so frustrated that he eventually heard her and granted her what she was asking for. We told him Jesus hears us and will answer us.

What is it that you have need of in your life? Do you ask once and give up? Has God promised you something and because it didn't happen right away, did you become discouraged? Dust off your promises from the Lord and continue to knock on His door. He does hear you and He will answer. Nothing is too hard for God. He is able and He can not lie. His word stands!
God is Good!

Today I took off all my doubts, fears and negativity and laid it at the feet of Jesus. He has promised so much to me and for a while these "things" and "stuff" of life have clouded my view of God's promises for me. Today it was as if God breathed upon me during service. I took all the lies and discarded them and put on the full armour of God. In my hand I hold the sword of God's word and with praise I shall overcome and obtain the promises of God.

Friday, July 15, 2011

Tonight RJ was a bit on the quiet side as we were doing our nightly Bible Reading. He didn't have a scripture or chapter in the Bible he wanted to read. He did say that his heart was broken and that Jesus was going to make it better . He then proceeded to ask Jesus to come into his heart. Then he was quiet and we went on with our normal Bible reading. Then, at the end of the chapter Bob was reading RJ said: " Mommy, does Jesus have a heart." We told him that Jesus had a very big heart. He made a heart with his hands and kept making it bigger and bigger to ask how big His heart was. We told him that Jesus' Heart was big and full of love for him and the whole world. He then in typical 3 year old style changed the subject.

Jesus does have a heart. His heart was broken for you because He loves you. How about your heart? Do you have room in your heart for Jesus. Will you give it to Him and let Him live in your heart?
God is Good!

Thursday, July 14, 2011

Tonight while Pastor Davis was teaching on the Book of Colossians he touched on the word Triumph in the Bible. A Triumph was a processesion showing strength, power and victory.
Every time RJ sees a Cross he will say " Look there is a Triumph!" If you ask him what he means he will say " From the cross to the grave, from the grave to the sky, Lord I lift your name on high, Triumph!" Many times when we see the cross we see that Jesus died. RJ goes beyond that and he sees Jesus in all His glory. His God is not dead, Jesus is alive and with all power!
Next time you see a cross rejoice for Jesus is alive and if His spirit lives within you, then you will Triumph with Christ in your life!

Wednesday, July 13, 2011

Today while we were stuck in traffic on the BQE on the way to Brooklyn Bridge Park, a huge thunderstorm came. We sat it out while contemplating why the traffic was worse than normal and RJ was crying that he was " Never going to hear the Opera in the park." We were trying to explain to him that even if we didn't make it in time today, there would be other Opera's in the Park. The rain cleared and we passed what looked like a very big accident. As we started moving again, Ross point to the left and said " Look RJ it's a Rainbow." RJ " My very First Rainbow, oh it's so pretty!" He was quiet for a while enjoying the two full Rainbows and then said this:
" I need to thank Jesus, because I prayed the other day for a Rainbow and today He gave me my very first Rainbow and He gave me two, not one." We agreed and all gave thanks for the Rainbow.
Such a little prayer answered by God. He hears us in the big things and the small things. When these small things happen, take time and give thanks to the Lord above. He does hear you when you say them.
God is Good!

Tuesday, July 12, 2011

First I want to express how glad I am that my nephew Ross is visiting for the week. I have a lot planned for him and hope he has a good time. Secretly I am hoping he has so much fun that he decides to attend a University in NY. It would be GREAT to be able to see him more than once a year. I feel that way about all my family. If I could move them here from CA and TN, I would be thrilled. RJ already is having a lot of fun with Ross. I can see God is going to great things through him. He is smart and has a tender heart towards the Lord.

We have accomplished a great thing with RJ

NO MORE DIAPERS, NO MORE PULLUPS, HE IS POTTY TRAINED. YEAH!!!!!

Ok, so I am a little bit excited about it and yes, I did bribe him with hot wheel cars if he would stop wearing diapers...it worked.

Recently RJ has taken a sudden interest in stories about my husband when he was 3 years old. RJ is starting to see that the world does not revolve just around him...I said starting...we have a long way to go.
It has been fun learning about my husband as he tells his stories. It is even more enjoyable when RJ tells the story to someone else. Especially the one about the suger and flower all over the kitchen floor...

I think it's important for Father's to talk to their children. If they develop an open speaking relationship with their child when they are very young, I believe they are laying a foundation that will enable them to still speak openly with trust when the child is a teen and then an adult.
How much more does our Heavenly Father want us to sit down and just chat with Him. He will tell you about how much He loves you, how He knew you before you were born and loved you when you were in you Mother's womb.
Stop, take some time and have a chat with your Earthly Father and better yet..your Heavenly Father. For those of you who do not have a relationship with your dad, Your Heavenly Father loves you even if your Daddy on this earth doesn't.
God is Good!

Monday, July 11, 2011

This past week Bob decided he wanted to spend his birthday in NJ with family.
We:
1. Picked Blueberries
2. Went to the Ocean:RJ does not like the waves,thus it was a bit stressful)
3. Had a blast at Lake Absegamie( childhood favorite of Bob's and now RJ's)
4. Ate 2 Birthday Cakes
5. Watched RJ and Bob go down the very big slide at Ocean City Boardwalk

The week/weekend went by quickly and before we knew it we were on our way back to NY. While sitting in traffic at 10pm..yes you read that right, I decided to pass the time by calling people. While talking to my mom, in passing I mentioned we needed to keep Joy in our prayers. That was all I said, since my mom knew what I was talking about. I hang up and RJ says " Why do we need to pray for Joy?" I explained to him that she had A big boo boo in her back (MS). He then says to me " I need to call her right now. I need to pray for her." So, I called her and gave him the phone. He told her he was going to pray for Jesus to heal her boo boo in her back. Then he said goodbye and gave me the phone. After I got off the phone with Joy, we prayed as a family for her. I had tears in my eyes because after RJ said Amen, he said that Jesus was healing Aunty Joy.
I love RJ's faith. It's so pure and he has no doubt that Jesus is going to take Joy's big ugly boo boo away from her back.
God is Good!

Wednesday, July 06, 2011

It seems that RJ has a lot going through his mind. As you have read in my recent blogs he has been asking some very big questions. Today's went something like this: RJ: " Mom...I need to ask you something, sit down please." Me: " Ok, RJ" Thinking to myself I better be ready this sounds serious.
He looks at me and says: " Whats the Holy Spirit". I should not have been surprised, he will be 4 in October. When I was 4 I became very aware of God and that I needed/wanted Him in my life. I prayed a whole year to get the Holy Ghost and recieved it when I was 5. Thus, when he asked this I sort of felt a bit of panic rise up, if I answered wrong it may be a while before he wants to know more. Here was my reply :" RJ the Holy Spirit is how Jesus comes to live in your heart. When you ask him to forgive you for the bad things and He forgives you. The next step is to ask Him to live in your heart. When that happens you will speak in words you don't understand, but God knows what you are saying. When that happens you know Jesus is in your heart and He goes with you everywhere you go."
He was quiet for a bit and I was not sure if he got it..then he replied " I need Jesus in my heart..I want him with me everywhere." Then in the next breath in typical 3 year old fashion he changed the subject with " So, when is daddy going on another business trip, I wanna go!" Followed by," I think I'm hungry, I need some cheese and fruit".

We as adults make thing so difficult in our walk with the Lord. It's so very simple all we have to do is ask Him in. He stands at the door and knocks. Open it and He will clean your house and fill it with His everloving spirit.

Tuesday, July 05, 2011

Today while RJ and I were "folding" laundry we had one of our deep discussions. It went something like this; RJ: " Jesus spoke to my heart today." Me: " oh..what did He say to your heart." RJ:" He said He wants to share." Me:" What does He want to share?" RJ: " I don't know yet, but I know he is kind and I think he said he is a Yankee." It took all I had to not laugh at the Yankee part since he was very serious. I can see RJ is starting to understand that Jesus truly wants to be a part of his life.
What RJ said is true in regards to sharing. Jesus does want to share with us. He wants to take our pain, sorrow, fear and emptiness and share with us His love, joy, spirit and salvation.
He told us his burden was easy and his yoke was light. We can tend to want to hold on to what feels safe to us, if we would just give it to Jesus, He will replace what you give him with something that is better than you could have imagined.
There is a man in Iran by the name of Youcef Nadarkahni who believes in this so much that he is sharing Jesus Christ in Iran. He has been in jail and even though the authorities try to get him to recant, he won't. I think I know why...Jesus shared with him the chance for eternal life. Jesus has given him peace in the midst of everything around him. He may hang and he may not. Either way Youcef is not alone, Jesus is with him.
Take RJ's word to heart.. Jesus wants to share with you!
God is Good!

Friday, July 01, 2011

I have come to learn that when my son sits down next to me and get this deep in thought look, to be prepared for one of those BIG questions. This morning was one of those such moments. Apparently RJ was listening to the teaching in last night's church service because he asked me this morning. " Why did Jesus Broke?" It took us a minute to figure out what he was talking about. He wanted to know why Jesus died, who did it and why. My husband did a very good job of breaking down the whole Gospel story in simple words and kept it short. We even told him what was "bad" and gave him the 10 comandments in very simple form (ie..it's bad to kill, steal). He sat there for a minute and said.." Well I only kill ticks and spiders, am I still bad?" We quickly assured him that was ok. He thinks again and then starts singing on the top of his lungs. " He is NOT DEAD, HE IS ALIVE, He's ALIVE!" That of course let us know he got it and understood why "Jesus Broke" and that He is not broken anymore.
I challenge you this 4th of July to not only celebrate your Freedom in the USA, but also celebreat your spiritual freedom. Jesus is alive and because He is alive you are FREE to worship, Jesus Broke so you could be set free.